I need "recreational therapy" suggestions.

[japple]

My father is 86 yrs. old. He has a terminal disease and is in the process of getting ready to leave. Although he is "dying" it could be a longer process than we had originally thought, and we are now looking for things for him to do to keep him occupied. He doesn't like TV because he can't hear. He always worked hard outside until a few months ago, and now he is pretty much confined to a chair. His hands are so restless, that we thought if we could find some kind of work for him to do it would help make him more relaxed. He folds and unfolds the blanket 100 times a day. He also has dementia and is extremely hard of hearing, so it needs to be something that is easily explained and fairly easy, possibly some repetitive task. Today I gave him some rawhide laces and asked him to wind them around a piece of cardboard for me, and that seems to be working for now. Does anyone have any suggestions for other activities he could do?

[stellanoir]

1. My grandfather had alzheimers when I was little and for every Christmas

& birthday I gave him a little model of an antique car. He used to play with them on a tray we set up in front of him for hours and hours.

Building blocks may work well also.

Maybe think of the activities he enjoyed when he was young and figure out a way to scale it down like a diorama or something.

Your love and concern and tenderness for him just pours off of this thread. Good luck with keeping him entertained.

[Why Syzygy]

2. Would he be

interested in simple oragami? Folding the blanket gave me that idea. Bless him and you.

[rumpel]

3. was gonna say the same thing!

:)

[Metta]

4. There are some easy meditations that fit your criteria.

Alternate nostril breathing and awareness of breath come readily to mind. You should be able to easily link to sites that clearly explain these. There's also a link that I posted in last month's prayer thread which is a recipe for clearing the body and mind of held or/and blocked energy. It's easy and you can use it anywhere for any duration of time. It's a Korean system of release which I fleshed out.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=245&topic_id=31163&mesg_id=31207


I also highly recommend a peace and balance inducing meditation, the circle, on page two of this meditation web site I use, www.shambhudance.com


I've been doing this stuff for almost 40 years and can speak to its effectiveness. I'd also be happy to explain, clarify and fine tune any of this with you.

:hi: :)

[Why Syzygy]

8. I have never

been able to get that nostrile breathing thing to work for me. I hate it. I believe it works for the rest of you.

[Metta]

11. What's been the problem? You'd think it'd be easy.

... curious.

[Cleita]

5. How about a deck of cards? Teach him some of the simpler

solitaire games out there. Before the days of electronic entertainment, this is how my parents kept me occupied when I was kept still for lengthy periods of time when we traveled usually by plane or train.

[Why Syzygy]

7. That is true

Knew a beautiful woman in her 80's.. she was amazing. and solitaire was her game.
When she didn't do that, she was up on the roof cleaning gutters. Don't underestimate these people.

[NMDemDist2]

6. bet he'd like stuffing envelopes

call around to charities or political parties or schools and see if they need any help

[wovenpaint]

9. How about simple weaving?

You can make a loom out of cardboard....

http://www.montessoriworld.org/handwork/weave/weaving3.html

Best wishes to you and your Dad

[I Have A Dream]

10. ...or pot holders. I remember making them as a child and...

really enjoying it.

[cassiepriam]

12. Go get some inexpensive toddler type toys.

Toys that have big pieces and are colorful.
Ones that make sounds too, even though your dad is hard of hearing
he may pick up the vibrations. Experiment and see which ones he likes.

Also I would get him a lovey, a soft plush toy he can hug and that will feel soft and hugable.